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Sternum

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	Sternum
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	Topics Sternum Topic Home The sternum (from Greek st?????, sternon, "chest" or breastbone) is a long, flat boneBone Bone, also called osseous tissue, is a type of hard endoskeletal connective tissue found in many vertebrate animals.... located in the center of the thoraxChest Summary The chest is a part of the anatomy of humans and various other animals.... (chest). It connects to the rib bonesRib In anatomy, ribs are the long curved bones which form the rib cage.... via cartilageCartilage Summary Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue.... , forming the rib cage with them, and thus helps to protect the lungs, heartHeart The heart is a hollow, muscular organ in vertebrates, responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels by repeated, r... and major blood vessels from physical traumaPhysical trauma Physical trauma refers to a physical injury.... . The sternum is sometimes cut open (a median sternotomyMedian sternotomy Median sternotomy is a surgical procedure in which a vertical inline incision is made along the sternum, after which the ste... ) to gain access to the thoracic contents when performing cardiothoracic surgery. Overview The sternum is an elongated, flattened bone, forming the middle portion of the anterior wall of the thorax. Its upper end supports the clavicles (Collar bones), and its margins articulate with the cartilages of the first seven pairs of ribs. Its top is also connected to the Sternocleidomastoid muscleSternocleidomastoid muscle Overview In human anatomy, the sternocleidomastoid muscles are muscles in the neck that act to flex and rotate the head.... . It consists of three parts, from above downward: ManubriumManubrium The manubrium is the broad, upper part of the sternum.... Body of sternumBody of sternum The body of the sternum, considerably lengthier, narrower, and thinner than the manubrium, attains its greatest breadth clos... (gladiolus) Xiphoid processXiphoid process The xiphoid process is a small cartilaginous extension to the lower part of the sternum which is usually ossified in the adu... In its natural position, the inclination of the bone is oblique from above, downward and forward. It is slightly convex in front and concave behind; broad above, becoming narrowed at the point where the manubrium joins the body, after which it again widens a little to below the middle of the body, and then narrows to its lower extremity. Its average length in the adult is about 17 cmCentimetre Overview A centimetre is a unit of length that is equal to one hundreth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length.... , and is rather longer in the male than in the female. In early life its body is divided in four segments, called sternebrœ (singular: sternebra). Structure The sternum is composed of highly vascular cancellous tissue, covered by a thin layer of compact bone which is thickest in the manubrium between the articular facets for the clavicles. Articulations The sternum articulates on either side with the clavicle and upper seven costal cartilagesCostal cartilages The costal cartilages are bars of hyaline cartilage which serve to prolong the ribs forward and contribute very materially t... . Fractures of the sternum Fractures of the sternumSternal fracture A sternal fracture is a fracture of the sternum , located in the center of the chest.... are rather uncommon. However, they may result from trauma, such as when a driver's chest is forced into the steering columnSteering column The automotive steering column is a device intended primarily for connecting the steering wheel to the steering mechanism by... of a carCAR Overview CAR is a three-letter acronym that can stand for:... in a car accidentCar accident A car accident is a incident whereas an automobile either departs from regular pathway into a ditch, or collides with anythi... . A fracture of the sternum is usually a comminutedComminuted Comminuted may refer to:comminuted bone, as in a crushed or splintered bone... fracture, meaning it is broken into pieces. The most common site of sternal fractures is at the sternal angleSternal angle The sternal angle* is the angle formed by the junction of the manubrium and the body of the sternum in the form of a secondar... . However, some studies reveal that repeated punches or continual beatings, sometimes called "sternum punches", to the sternum area have also caused fractured sternums. Sternum fractures are frequently associated with underlying injuries such as pulmonary contusionPulmonary contusion A pulmonary contusion is a contusion of the lung, caused by chest trauma.... s, or bruised lung tissue. Additional images See also Ossification of sternumOssification of sternum The sternum originally consists of two cartilaginous bars, situated one on either side of the median plane and connected with the ... Bone terminologyBone Bone, also called osseous tissue, is a type of hard endoskeletal connective tissue found in many vertebrate animals.... Terms for anatomical location Pectus carinatumPectus carinatum Pectus carinatum, also called pigeon chest, is a deformity of the chest characterized by a protrusion of the sternum.... Pectus excavatumPectus excavatum Pectus excavatum is a congenital deformity of the sternum, which is depressed into the chest, resulting in a "caved-in" or s...